New Mediterranean Restaurant Coming to Myrtle | Blood Drive

~ The Monrovia Planning Commission has approved a conditional use permit for a new restaurant, a Mediterranean restaurant called Meridian at 343 S. Myrtle, to serve beer and wine. The restaurant will also serve kabobs, fattoush, hummus, gyros and other stuff. http://goo.gl/eZXaZ

~ There will be a blood drive sponsored by Family Festival Productions and City of Hope. A bloodmobile will be parked at the corner of Colorado and Myrtle on Friday, July 26, 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Cars - Goodie Boxes for Thieves, Busted for Breakers,Grand Theft of Sister's Car

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 8-10. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 571 service events, resulting in 82 investigations.

Theft From Vehicles

July 9, four thefts from vehicles were reported throughout the day to police. The thefts occurred overnight and were not discovered by the victims until the morning hours. The thefts occurred in the 600 block of West Foothill, 700 block of Oakglade, 900 block of West Hillcrest and 800 block of Ridgeside. In three of the incidents, the vehicles were left unlocked and items left in the vehicles were taken. The investigation is continuing.

Family Dispute / Grand Theft Auto – Suspect Arrested

July 9 at 10:52 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of East Royal Oaks regarding a family dispute at a residence. The suspect was angry and he was yelling at his family members. He asked family members to give him a gun. He took his sister's purse from her bedroom, which had her car keys inside, and then took her car and drove to a convenience store in Duarte to meet his fiancé to talk.

Officers went to the location and found the suspect with three other male subjects, who were friends of his fiancé. The subjects appeared to be in fighting stance; all four subjects were detained. The three subjects are witnesses to a criminal threats incident involving the suspect that is being investigated by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. The suspect was arrested for grand theft auto and the victim desires prosecution.

Commercial Burglary – Suspects Arrested

June 10 at 5:00 p.m., two male subjects entered a business in 1600 block of South Mountain, took over 600 dollars worth of electrical breakers and then ran out of the store. They were apprehended by the store's loss prevention and the police were called. The subjects had no means on their person to pay for the items. They were arrested and charged with burglary.

Schamadan Slams Monrovia Board of Education

As part of her column in The Weekly Star newspaper (supplement to the Star-News), Monrovia columnist Charlotte Schamadan slammed the Monrovia Board of Education. From the tone of her column, it appeared she would have preferred the board to select Dr. Debby Collins as the next superintendent of schools. Collins had served the district for 27 years and was the interim supervisor. Shamadan said the board did not express a word of thanks. She writes, "Even the newly hired superintendent briefly expressed her thanks to Debby, but the board members sat silent on the subject."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council: Helping Old Town, Energy Program, Police and Fire Unions, Helping the Chamber

At the Monrovia City Council's July 16 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/dCmga ) the council will ...

- Hear a report about Old Town. Among other things, the city wants to recruit national retailers for the area, "specifically those in the categories of nationally recognized bookstores, specialty gourmet food stores, retail wine stores, and gaming stores." Here's the report (It's pretty interesting): http://goo.gl/qydzB

- Consider a California program allowing residential, multifamily, and commercial property owners to participate in a clean energy program. Advantages to homeowner: cheap loans, lower energy costs, etc. http://goo.gl/bakC1

- Have more private discussion about a deal with the police union and firefighters union. http://goo.gl/5o4uq

- Consider a one-year "Support Services Agreement" with Monrovia Chamber of Commerce for $43,819.

- Brad Haugaard

73rd Wedding Anniversary for Monrovia Couple | Gourmet Dogs

~ Monrovia couple celebrates 73rd anniversary. http://goo.gl/aPAfD

~ S'Links hot dogs opens in Monrovia this August. http://goo.gl/qpRdl

- Brad Haugaard

A Mini on the Wall | Monrovia Train Maintenance Yard

~ The Monrovia Design Review Committee has approved a plan to put a car on the wall of the Mini dealership at Mountain and the 210 Freeway (1451 S. Mountain Ave ). http://goo.gl/z97PR

~ Update photo of progress on the Monrovia Gold Line maintenance yard. http://goo.gl/uJ4Ur

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Neighborhood Conference

Monrovia's Neighborhood Services Division invites you to the 4th Annual MAP Neighborhood Conference!

Sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank, the MAP Neighborhood Conference is a free; all day event that is open to the public and will be held on Saturday, August 10 at Monrovia High School from 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Conference will host 23 exciting workshop options educating participants on all kinds of topics like:

- Bully & Cyber Bully Prevention

- Emergency Preparedness

- Environmental Services

- Community Event Planning

- Gang Prevention & Intervention

- Communication & Leadership Training

...and will even offer a bus tour of Monrovia facilitated by Mayor Lutz. Throughout the day, participants will enjoy free food, entertainment, workshops and small group discussions with other residents, community leaders, city staff and local officials. This event is free, fun and a great way to be part of Team Monrovia!

While the MAP Neighborhood Conference is being offered free of charge, pre-registration is required and can be found online at cityofmonrovia.org, at the front counter of City Hall, Community Center or the Monrovia Public Library or by calling Neighborhood Services Staff at (626) 932-5525.

This event only comes once a year and it's not to be missed. Be sure to save your spot by registering early and tell your friends to do the same.

Source: Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Fallen Tree Blocks Monrovia Road | Rapist Being Released in LA Area

~ The City of Monrovia tweeted that a large fallen tree blocked the 600 block of Bradbury Road for a while today.

~ Supervisor Michael Antonovich, who represents Monrovia on the LA County Board of Supervisors, warns that the state is preparing to release a serial rapist into the Los Angeles County area. http://goo.gl/wQ3Z2

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Cop Saves Baby; Sketch Leads to Arrest; Pawning Parents' Power Tools; Suspect Flips Out on 210; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 1-7. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the week's highlighted issues and events.

  

Residential Burglary  

July 1 at 9:58 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of West Lemon.  The burglary occurred sometime between 7:00 p.m. on June 29 and 9:45 a.m. on July 1.  Unknown Suspect(s) forced open a bedroom window on the east side of the house.  The suspect(s) then entered the location and stole a laptop computer, a small amount of cash and jewelry.

 

Medical Assist

July 1 at 8:18 p.m., an officer responded to a medical assist at the corner of Shamrock and Olive, regarding an infant not breathing.  When the officer arrived, there was no one at the location.  He had the dispatcher call back while he searched the area.  He ran to a church parking lot where he saw a group of people.  He yelled out to ask if they had a baby that wasn't breathing.  They ran up to the officer with the unconscious infant.  

 

The officer took the baby, turned him over and gave him several strikes on the back.  He cleared the infant's mouth, gave him an additional strike on the back and the baby started to cry.  Monrovia Fire Department paramedics arrived quickly and the baby was taken to a hospital for observation.    

 

Theft from a Vehicle

July 2 at 7:49 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of North Alta Vista reported a theft from her vehicle.  The victim parked her vehicle, locked the car and set the alarm.  When she returned to her car at 7:30 a.m. the next morning, she found the center console had been ransacked.  An older-model iPod and costume jewelry was stolen.  There was no sign of forced entry.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Driving on a Suspended License / Vehicle Burglary – Suspect Arrested

July 2 at 8:43 a.m., an officer on patrol observed a vehicle that matched the description of a car used in several recent vehicle burglaries.  An artist's sketch of the suspect had been released, and the officer noticed the driver looked similar to the sketch.  He stopped the driver to investigate and observed several unopened wine bottles and other possible stolen property.  The driver was found to have a suspended license, and the vehicle he was driving had expired registration.  The driver was arrested for driving on a suspended license and for further questioning regarding the recent burglaries.

 

Through investigation, it was learned that the suspect had served prison time for burglary.  A victim responded and positively identified the car and the suspect from a recent burglary that occurred on Foothill Boulevard.  The suspect was charged with burglary and is being held on bail.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Residential Burglary

July 2 at 11:49 a.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 100 block of West Cypress.  The suspect(s) entered the home through a rear door, breaking a glass window in the door and unlocking it.  A jewelry box was taken.  The burglary occurred sometime between 8:00 and 11:30 a.m.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Domestic Battery / False Imprisonment / Child Endangerment – Suspect Arrested

July 2 at 12:05 p.m., officers responded to the report of an assault in progress at Huntington and California.  They arrived and observed a male subject grab a female in a bear hug as she tried to get away; he then threw the female to the ground.  A small child was in a stroller, nearby.  The officers detained the male suspect.  The suspect and victim have a two-month-old child together.  They had been arguing over custody of the child, and the argument escalated and became physical.  The suspect was arrested for domestic battery, false imprisonment and child endangerment.

 

Receiving Stolen Property – Suspects Arrested

July 2 at 4:19 p.m., an officer on patrol observed two young male subjects walking with backpacks and several power tools in their hands.  Due to the recent burglaries in the area, he watched them enter a pawn store and contacted the two subjects concerning the power tools.  They could not provide a credible story about where they acquired the power tools.  The officer arrested both subjects for receiving stolen property.  

 

Through investigation, it was determined the tools had been taken from the garage of one of the suspect's parents.  The parent was contacted and discovered additional tools had been taken and pawned.  Despite this fact, the parent signed a refusal to prosecute.

 

Residential Burglary

July 3 at 2:35 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 200 block of Norumbega Drive.  The resident came home at 2:35 p.m. and found his front door open.  The victim did not enter the home and called the police.  The residence was checked, but the suspect(s) were already gone.  The home was ransacked and it is unknown what property was stolen.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Vehicle Burglary / Outside Assist – Arcadia Police Department – Suspects Arrested

July 4 at 9:31 a.m., a suspicious vehicle with two occupants was seen parked at a closed business near Fifth and Huntington.  As officers contacted the occupants of the vehicle, they observed a marijuana pipe inside the vehicle.  When they investigated further, they found a scanner inside the vehicle set to the Arcadia Police Department frequency.  There were other items of property in the vehicle that seemed suspicious.  The officer contacted Arcadia Police Department and they responded to the location.  

 

Through investigation, it was determined that the property inside the vehicle was stolen from a vehicle in Arcadia and officers were still on scene investigating the burglary.  The victim was brought to the location and identified the scanner as his, along with other property in the vehicle.  Arcadia officers arrested the suspects and took over the investigation.

 

Burglary Alarm Activation

July 5 at 2:53 p.m., officers were dispatched to an alarm activation at a residence in the 600 block of East Almond.  An officer saw what he believed was a possible suspect in the location.  The homeowners, who were out of town, were contacted and stated no one should be in their residence.  Containment of the area was established and when calls for the suspect to come out went unanswered, officers made entry with the assistance of the Pasadena police service dog.  After a thorough search, the house was cleared and no suspect was located.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Attempt Murder / Assault with a Deadly Weapon – Suspect Arrested

July 6 at 5:51 a.m., an injury traffic collision involving a vehicle and a bicyclist was reported at Mountain and Huntington.  Officers arrived and located a witness.  The witness reported that the bicyclist was stopped in the left turn bay, facing south on Mountain.  The vehicle approached from behind and almost struck the bicyclist.  The driver pulled forward, began circling the bicyclist with his vehicle, and then intentionally struck the bicyclist with his vehicle.  The vehicle then fled to the 210 Freeway and two male citizens/witnesses followed in their vehicle, calling the California Highway Patrol to report the incident. 

 

When the suspect realized he was being followed, he pulled over on the Freeway.  As the two witnesses were passing in their vehicle, the suspect drove into them.  The suspect then lost control of his vehicle, hit the center divider, and flipped his vehicle several times at the 210 Freeway and Vernon.  The driver managed to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended by Azusa Police Department officers.  The driver was taken to a local hospital, where CHP continued their investigation.   

 

It was later learned that the driver had struck another bicyclist at Myrtle and Shrode, in an unincorporated area just outside Monrovia, just prior to hitting the bicyclist in Monrovia.  The bicyclist from the Monrovia incident was taken to a hospital for treatment.  Monrovia Police Department will follow up and request charges of attempt murder and assault with a deadly weapon be filed by the District Attorney's office.

 

Monrovia Assemblymember's Bill Passes Senate

Assembly Bill 139, by Monrovia's Assemblymember, Chris Holden, unanimously passed the Senate today. The bill strengthens penalties that abusers are required to pay to ensure more funding for Domestic Violence Shelters.

"AB 139 clears up a technicality in order to provide more funds for local domestic violence shelters. The bill stipulates that those convicted of domestic violence must pay a minimum $500 fee - not a fine - after they are granted probation. This clarification is important because it would clear up confusion over the $500 payment and ensure funding for local domestic violence programs."

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Ford Picks Monrovia's AeroVironment

Ford Motor Co. has switched to using Monrovia's AeroVironment to install home car-charging devices for its electric cars instead of Geek Squad. http://goo.gl/KglEb

- Brad Haugaard

Ramming Bicyclist | Low Truancy Rate in Monrovia

~ Man accused of intentionally hitting bicyclist with car in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/8BJPe

~ Monrovia schools. Low truancy rate. http://goo.gl/6gPMb

- Brad Haugaard

Unity Center Needs Volunteers | Burglar Escapes Monrovia Police

~ Foothill Unity Center could use volunteers for its project to give school supplies to needy children, Tuesday, August 13, at Santa Anita Race Track. Contact Raina Martinez at 626-358-3486 for more information.

~ Monrovia Police search for burglar, but he's gone. http://goo.gl/d69ia

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Shrimp House

Lunch at Shrimp House earlier this week, at Live Oak and Myrtle. Nice decor, friendly and efficient service, and well maintained. I got the combo plate ($8.95) and an iced tea ($2.59). You might like this if you like the traditional breaded style of fish.

- Brad Haugaard

Produce in the Park | Goodwill Fundraiser

~ Produce in the Park tomorrow. Exchange veggies and stuff. http://goo.gl/g2f1m

~ Goodwill Fundraiser on Saturday, a week from tomorrow, at Open Door Church. http://goo.gl/6qmuw

- Brad Haugaard

Happy Birthday America!

Happy birthday America! May you see many many more. 

Fireworks at Library Park. 

 

- Brad Haugaard

Fourth of July Pre Fireworks

This is Myrtle just before the fireworks show. Huge crowd. Next year I gotta get here earlier. 

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovians Want Ban on Plastic Bags | Fire Department Flags at Half Staff | Library Closed

~ About six or seven Monrovians asked the City Council Tuesday night to begin the process to ban plastic supermarket bags, saying that other cities are doing it, that the bags get into our waterways and are a hazard to wildlife. Councilman Alex Blackburn said the use of plastic bags is "socially primitive, myopic and childish" and objections to such a ban on them are just "excuses to behave selfishly."

~ Fire Department lowers flags to half staff to honor firefighters killed in the Arizona fire. http://goo.gl/1WCMv

~ The library will be closed both July 3 and 4. http://goo.gl/JgHhv

- Brad Haugaard

Federal Government May Want Control of Monrovia Foothills

At tonight's city council meeting, Monrovia Councilman Tom Adams warned that Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents Monrovia, wants to include the Monrovia Hillside Preserve in a federal recreation area. Adams said he does not think there would be any advantage to Monrovia in having the Department of the Interior take control of the area. However, everybody else on the council except Alex Blackburn wanted to ask for a presentation on what the federal government plans to do with the land before taking a stand on it.

- Brad Haugaard

More Bad News for Newspapers?

Got this notice in today's Pasadena Star-News, which covers Monrovia. Having a big advertiser drop out - even if it is staying in for the Sunday edition - does not seem like good news for the newspaper. As a former reporter is sad to watch the decline of this industry.

- Brad Haugaard